An in-line fastener track selection device comprises a stator having first, second and third fastener conduits; a rotor, rotatably mounted with respect the stator about a rotation axis, and comprising a rotor body and a connection space. The rotor is rotatable between a first position in which the connection space adjoins the first and second fastener conduits, such that, in use, a fastener may pass between the first and second fastener conduits via the connection space, and a second position in which the connection space adjoins the first and third fastener conduits, such that, in use, a fastener may pass between the first and third fastener conduits via the connection space. The invention further relates to an in-line fastener selection device and a fastener setting machine comprising an air amplifier.
B23P 19/00 - Machines effectuant simplement l'assemblage ou la séparation de pièces ou d'objets métalliques entre eux ou des pièces métalliques avec des pièces non métalliques, que cela entraîne ou non une certaine déformationOutils ou dispositifs à cet effet dans la mesure où ils ne sont pas prévus dans d'autres classes
2.
FASTENER MAGAZINES, AND RELATED SUPPLY SYSTEMS AND METHODS
A rivet supply system for supplying rivets to a rivet setting tool comprising a punch, an extendable nose arrangement and a die is disclosed. The rivet supply system comprises at least one rivet delivery track for delivering the rivets to the nose arrangement, at least one rivet transfer device for holding or releasing the rivets received at the rivet-receiving zone, and at least one refillable magazine for storing the rivets in proximity of the setting tool. The magazine comprises at least a magazine portion of said rivet delivery track, wherein the rivets can be stored within the magazine, or can transit through the magazine to be delivered to the setting tool. The magazine also comprises at least one docking interface for refilling the magazine from for example a bulk feeder. The magazine is in rivet-supply relation with the nose arrangement so that it can supply rivets to the setting tool whenever required, and is moveable together with the nose arrangement. Lengths of flexible delivery tubing are thus no longer required for delivering the rivets from the magazine to the setting tool, and continuity of supply can be maintained.
3.
NOSE ARRANGEMENTS FOR FASTENER SETTING MACHINES, AND RELATED METHODS
A nose arrangement for a fastener setting tool having a punch for setting fasteners is disclosed herein. The nose arrangement comprises a support for supporting the nose arrangement on the setting tool. The support is adapted to receive the punch. There is also provided a nosepiece for guiding the punch and a fastener during a fastener setting operation. The nose arrangement defines first and second fastener transfer areas situated laterally with respect to the punch. There, the fasteners can wait to be transferred under the punch. A transfer mechanism for transferring the fasteners from the first and second fastener transfer areas under the punch is also provided as part of the nose arrangement. The transfer mechanism comprises a movable member that can be moved between first and second configurations. In the first of said configurations,the movable member is adapted to hold a first fastener in a stand-by position under the punch while it collects a second fastener from the first fastener transfer area. In the second of said configurations,the movable member is adapted to hold the second fastener in the stand-by position while it collects a third fastener from the second fastener transfer area. The fasteners, particularly self-piercing rivets, can thus be transferred quickly and conveniently under the punch.
B21J 15/14 - Machines à riveter spécialement adaptées au rivetage de pièces déterminées, p. ex. machines pour poser les garnitures de frein
B21J 15/32 - Dispositifs pour placer ou maintenir en position les rivets, avec ou sans systèmes d'alimentation
B23P 19/00 - Machines effectuant simplement l'assemblage ou la séparation de pièces ou d'objets métalliques entre eux ou des pièces métalliques avec des pièces non métalliques, que cela entraîne ou non une certaine déformationOutils ou dispositifs à cet effet dans la mesure où ils ne sont pas prévus dans d'autres classes
4.
A FASTENING APPARATUS DIE CARTRIDGE AND METHOD OF FASTENING AT LEAST TWO SHEETS OF MATERIAL
A fastening apparatus die cartridge comprises a main body defining a cavity configured to receive a plurality of dies; and an opening through which dies received by the cavity can be removed from the cavity; and an engagement portion configured to engage with a complementary engagement portion of a die changer of a fastening apparatus.
A die changing apparatus comprises a first die support for supporting a plurality of dies, the die support having first and second die supporting portions which are spaced from one another.The die support is movable so that either the first die supporting portion or the second die supporting portion are locatable at a first transfer position. There is also provided a transfer arrangement comprising a first grip portion configured to grip a die from one of the first and second die supporting portions when said one of the first and second die supporting portions is located at the first transfer position, and thereby remove said gripped die from the first die support. The transfer arrangement is movable, independently of the die support, between a first configuration in which the first grip portion can grip said die from said one of the first and second die supporting portions when said one of the first and second die supporting portions is located at the first transfer position, and a second configuration in which the first grip portion can release said die and pass it to a second die support of a rivet setterlocated at a second transfer position.
A rivet tape joining clip (302) comprising an elongate body provided with a plurality of projections (310) which extend from one side of the elongate body, wherein the projections are provided with laterally projecting lips. The invention further relates to different apparatuses and methods used for the joining of rivet tapes.
B21J 15/32 - Dispositifs pour placer ou maintenir en position les rivets, avec ou sans systèmes d'alimentation
B23P 19/00 - Machines effectuant simplement l'assemblage ou la séparation de pièces ou d'objets métalliques entre eux ou des pièces métalliques avec des pièces non métalliques, que cela entraîne ou non une certaine déformationOutils ou dispositifs à cet effet dans la mesure où ils ne sont pas prévus dans d'autres classes
A method of manufacturing self-pierce rivets from a length of wire comprises separating the length of wire to form a plurality of slugs, each slug defining a head end and a tail end. The method further comprises forging a plurality of rivets from the slugs, each rivet having a head formed from the head end of a slug and a tip formed from the tail end of that slug, the head and the tip of the rivet being separated by a shank which defines a longitudinal axis, the rivet having a bore which runs substantially longitudinally through the tip and at least part way along the shank. For each of the plurality of rivets, the method comprises performing a machining operation on the tip the rivet or on the tail end of the slug from which the rivet was forged.
A method of inserting a rivet (2) into a workpiece (42, 44, 46) comprises moving the rivet (2) and workpiece (42, 44, 46) relative to one another, along a longitudinal axis of the rivet, so as to drive the rivet into the workpiece. The rivet is rotated about its longitudinal axis, relative to the workpiece, for at least part of the time during which it is in contact with the workpiece. The speed of said rotation, or the speed of movement along the longitudinal axis of the rivet, is altered at least once before driving of the rivet into the workpiece is complete.
B21J 15/08 - Rivetage par application de chaleur aux extrémités des rivets afin de permettre la formation des têtes
B21J 15/14 - Machines à riveter spécialement adaptées au rivetage de pièces déterminées, p. ex. machines pour poser les garnitures de frein
B21J 15/28 - Dispositifs de commande spécialement adaptés aux machines à riveter, non limités à l'un des sous-groupes précédents
B23K 20/12 - Soudage non électrique par percussion ou par une autre forme de pression, avec ou sans chauffage, p. ex. revêtement ou placage la chaleur étant produite par frictionSoudage par friction
A mounting assembly for a spot-joining apparatus comprises a first support arm (24). The first support arm (24) has a mounting surface (26), and receiving portion configured to receive an actuator or an anvil. The mounting assembly also comprises an alignment bracket (28) configured to engage with said actuator or anvil. The alignment bracket (28) is movable between a plurality of locations on the mounting surface (26) of the first support arm (24). The mounting assembly further comprises a clamp assembly (52, 29, 66a, 66b, 70, 70b or 52, 29, 88, 92, 98, 90, 96) configured to secure the alignment bracket (28) in any of said plurality of locations.
B23Q 3/18 - Dispositifs permettant de maintenir, supporter ou positionner les pièces ou les outils, ces dispositifs pouvant normalement être démontés de la machine pour positionner uniquement
A linear actuator assembly (2) comprises a housing, an output shaft (6), a nose piece (34) and a negative pressure device. The output shaft (6) defines an actuator assembly axis, and is movable along the actuator assembly axis between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the housing. The nose piece (34) is slidably mounted to the output shaft and movable between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the output shaft. The nose piece and the output shaft co-operatively define a chamber (54, 56, 62) for containing a quantity of fluid, the volume of the chamber being smaller when the nose piece is in the retracted position than when the nose piece is in the extended position. The negative pressure device is connectable to the chamber, and is selectively operable so as to reduce the pressure in the sealed volume, thereby urging the nose piece from the extended position towards the retracted position.
B21J 15/26 - Entraînements pour machines à riveterMoyens de transmission correspondants actionnés par un entraînement rotatif, p. ex. par des moteurs électriques
B21J 15/32 - Dispositifs pour placer ou maintenir en position les rivets, avec ou sans systèmes d'alimentation
A linear actuator assembly (1) comprises a linear actuator which has a housing and an output shaft, the output shaft (14) defining an actuator axis and being movable along the actuator axis between an extended position and a retracted position. The assembly also comprises a buffer carriage arranged in an active configuration in which it is mounted on either the housing or the output shaft. The buffer carriage (72) has a rotary portion (26) which is rotationally coupled to the output shaft such that rotation of the output shaft about the actuator axis requires corresponding rotation of the rotary portion. The rotary portion is rotationally restrained when the buffer carriage is in the active configuration. The one of the housing and output shaft on which the buffer carriage is not mounted has a first abutment surface which is positioned to act on the buffer carriage when the output shaft reaches one of the extended position and the retracted position, such that continued movement of the output shaft beyond said position moves the buffer carriage from the active configuration towards a first passive configuration. The rotary portion is rotatable about the actuator axis when the buffer carriage is in the first passive configuration.
B21J 15/08 - Rivetage par application de chaleur aux extrémités des rivets afin de permettre la formation des têtes
B21J 15/14 - Machines à riveter spécialement adaptées au rivetage de pièces déterminées, p. ex. machines pour poser les garnitures de frein
B21J 15/28 - Dispositifs de commande spécialement adaptés aux machines à riveter, non limités à l'un des sous-groupes précédents
B23K 20/12 - Soudage non électrique par percussion ou par une autre forme de pression, avec ou sans chauffage, p. ex. revêtement ou placage la chaleur étant produite par frictionSoudage par friction
A joint is formed in a stack of at least two sheets of light metal alloy, using a self- piercing rivet that is fully hollow. The rivet is coated at least along a portion of its bore by a lubricant and pierces the upper surface thereof and such that the shank deforms outwardly to interlock with the material but without penetration to the die side of the material. The outside diameter of the shank of the rivet is 5.4mm or less. The die has a volume that is less than 60% or 70% of the effective solid volume of the rivet.
A blind riveting apparatus (1) comprises a motor (3), and a clamp (31) for gripping the mandrel of a blind rivet, the clamp being movable substantially along the axis of the rivet. The apparatus further comprises a first transmission (51) configured to transfer rotary motion of the motor (3) to the clamp (31) when engaged; and a second transmission (52) configured to convert rotary motion of the motor (3) to linear motion of the clamp (31), and thereby retract the clamp (31) to pull on the mandrel, when engaged. A transmission control apparatus is arranged to selectively adjust the degree of engagement of at least one of the first (51) and second (52) transmissions, the transmission control apparatus comprising a variable-influence brake or clutch (58). Methods of blind riveting, and further pieces of blind riveting apparatus, are also disclosed.
B21J 15/26 - Entraînements pour machines à riveterMoyens de transmission correspondants actionnés par un entraînement rotatif, p. ex. par des moteurs électriques
F16D 27/112 - Embrayages actionnés magnétiquementLeur commande ou leurs circuits électriques avec un électro-aimant ne tournant pas avec un organe de l'embrayage, c.-à-d. sans bagues collectrices avec des organes d'embrayage mobiles selon l'axe avec des surfaces de friction plates, p. ex. des disques
F16D 63/00 - Freins non prévus ailleursFreins combinant plusieurs des types mentionnés dans les groupes
A spot-joining apparatus comprises a motor, a punch for driving a fastener or performing a clinching or friction stir spot welding operation, a first transmission, a second transmission and a transmission control apparatus. The first transmission is configured to transfer rotary motion of the motor to the punch when engaged. The second transmission is configured to convert rotary motion of the motor to linear motion of the punch, and thereby drive the punch towards a workpiece, when engaged. The transmission control apparatus is arranged to selectively adjust the degree of engagement of at least one of the first and second transmissions. Further apparatus for spot joining, and methods of spot-joining, are also disclosed.
B21J 15/26 - Entraînements pour machines à riveterMoyens de transmission correspondants actionnés par un entraînement rotatif, p. ex. par des moteurs électriques
F16D 27/112 - Embrayages actionnés magnétiquementLeur commande ou leurs circuits électriques avec un électro-aimant ne tournant pas avec un organe de l'embrayage, c.-à-d. sans bagues collectrices avec des organes d'embrayage mobiles selon l'axe avec des surfaces de friction plates, p. ex. des disques
F16D 3/00 - Accouplements extensibles, c.-à-d. avec moyens permettant le mouvement entre parties accouplées durant leur entraînement
B23K 20/12 - Soudage non électrique par percussion ou par une autre forme de pression, avec ou sans chauffage, p. ex. revêtement ou placage la chaleur étant produite par frictionSoudage par friction
A method of riveting comprising using a punch (1) to push a rivet (9) through a workpiece (5) such that a shank (10) of the rivet (9) is received in a die (3) defined by a die body (3) which is in contact with the workpiece, a slug of material (16) being removed from the workpiece (5) by the rivet (9) and being received in the die, the method further comprising closing or substantially closing the die using a rod (4) and using the rod to upset the shank of the rivet.
A self -piercing rivet (10) for forming joints in stacked sheets of high or low strength, light alloy metals such as aluminium and magnesium. The rivet (10) comprises a head (11) and a substantially cylindrical shank (12) that is at least partially hollow so as to define a bore (13) that extends along at least part of its length. The outside diameter (D1) of the shank (12) is at least 6mm, the effective length of the rivet is at least 1.3 times the diameter of the shank and the bore (13) has a volume that is at least 38% of the effective solid volume of the rivet (10). The rivet geometry is such that it has enhanced column strength to withstand the high insertion forces required and a high bore volume to accommodate displaced sheet material.
A fastening method and apparatus ( 9 ) comprising using a control apparatus to select a first upsetting volume of an upsetting die, using a punch to push a first fastener into a workpiece and using the upsetting die to upset the first fastener, then using the control apparatus to select a second upsetting volume of the upsetting die, using the punch to push a second fastener into a workpiece and using the upsetting die to upset the second fastener, or using the punch and the upsetting die to form a clinch joint.
B21J 15/36 - Outils et contre-outils pour former les têtes de rivetsMandrins pour le rivetage par expansion des rivets creux
B21J 15/28 - Dispositifs de commande spécialement adaptés aux machines à riveter, non limités à l'un des sous-groupes précédents
B21D 39/03 - Utilisation de procédés permettant d'assembler des objets ou des parties d'objets, p. ex. revêtement par des tôles, autrement que par placageDispositifs de mandrinage des tubes des tôles autrement que par pliage
A fastener delivery apparatus (68) comprising a nose assembly configured to releasably hold a fastener (21); wherein the nose assembly comprises a plurality of balls or rollers (4) and associated biasing members (6) configured to provide a biasing force which biases the balls or rollers (4) such that they engage with the fastener (21), wherein each biasing member (6) is configured to exert force in a first direction and an associated ball or roller is configured to move in a second direction which is different from the first direction, and wherein a force transfer surface (11) is provided between the ball or roller (4) and the biasing member (6), the force transfer surface (11) acting to convert at least a component of the force exerted by the biasing member in the first direction into force exerted on the balls or rollers in the second direction.
B21J 15/32 - Dispositifs pour placer ou maintenir en position les rivets, avec ou sans systèmes d'alimentation
B23P 19/00 - Machines effectuant simplement l'assemblage ou la séparation de pièces ou d'objets métalliques entre eux ou des pièces métalliques avec des pièces non métalliques, que cela entraîne ou non une certaine déformationOutils ou dispositifs à cet effet dans la mesure où ils ne sont pas prévus dans d'autres classes
B23P 19/06 - Machines pour mettre ou retirer les vis ou les écrous
B25B 23/04 - Dispositions pour manipuler les vis ou écrous pour l'alimentation en vis ou écrous
B25B 23/10 - Dispositions pour manipuler les vis ou écrous pour tenir ou présenter la vis ou l'écrou avant ou pendant sa rotation par des moyens mécaniques de prise
A fastener dispensing apparatus (1) for dispensing fasteners (11) to a workpiece, comprising a body through which a punch path is defined and a punch (6) at least partially within the punch path. The punch (6) is reciprocally moveable between a retracted position and an advanced position in which the tip of the forward portion extends from an end of the punch path in order to drive a fastener (11) towards the workpiece. A fastener feed path (P) extends transverse to the punch path and is defined in part by a surface (34) of the body, the fastener feed path (P) being arranged for receipt of an elongate carrier (10) of fasteners (11). The apparatus (1) further comprises a fastener feeding device for sequentially feeding fasteners (11) supported in the elongate carrier (10) along the fastener feed path (P) and into alignment with the end of the punch path.
Fasteners, such as rivets, are fed to a fastener insertion tool (1) via a buffer magazine (5) adjacent to the tool. The buffer is movable with the tool and C-frame between an operative position where fasteners can be inserted int a workpiece and a re-filling position where it is docked at a docking station (13) to reload. Fasteners are delivered to the docking station from a source (14) and held there ready for when the tool docks. Once docked a transfer gat is opened at an interface between the buffer magazine (15) and the docking station (13) and fasteners from the docking station are transferred into the buffer magazine. A fastener insertion cycle is executed whilst the docking station is refilled with fasteners. A control cycle is used to control the quantity of fasteners loaded into a storage track at the docking station and operates to reduce overfilling of the buffer.
B21J 15/32 - Dispositifs pour placer ou maintenir en position les rivets, avec ou sans systèmes d'alimentation
B23P 19/00 - Machines effectuant simplement l'assemblage ou la séparation de pièces ou d'objets métalliques entre eux ou des pièces métalliques avec des pièces non métalliques, que cela entraîne ou non une certaine déformationOutils ou dispositifs à cet effet dans la mesure où ils ne sont pas prévus dans d'autres classes
A joint is produced in at least two overlapping workpieces (W1, W2) using a joining tool comprising a punch (16) reciprocally disposed in a cylinder. The workpieces (W1, W2) are disposed between the tool and a die (12) and the tool is used to apply a compressive force to deform the workpieces into a joint at a joining area between the tool and the die. Continuous ultrasonic energy (A) is applied to at least one of the workpieces in the joining area for at least part of the time during production of the joint so as to increase the ductility of at least one of the workpieces in the joining area. This induces an acousto-plastic effect in the material being formed which temporarily reduces its strength so as to exhibit increased ductility. The joining method is used in self -piercing riveting and enables viable joints to be formed in high strength materials or thick sheets of material.
A die (13, 213, 313) is supported in a die holder (381) such as a frame or an adapter (18, 518) supported in a frame such that it is operational use in a material deforming operation. One or both of the die and the die holder have at least one gas passage which is substantially closed by at least part of the die. Gas such as pressurised air is directed into an end of the gas passage opposite the die via a hose (42, 542) connected to a gas source. If the die is broken or loose leak paths are available for the escape of gas past the die to or from atmosphere. A pressure sensor (41) connected to the hose detects the change in pressure of the gas and the magnitude of that pressure is used to determine the die condition. Alternatively a flow rate sensor is used to detect a change in the flow rate of the gas in order to determine the condition of the die.
B21J 15/28 - Dispositifs de commande spécialement adaptés aux machines à riveter, non limités à l'un des sous-groupes précédents
B21J 15/36 - Outils et contre-outils pour former les têtes de rivetsMandrins pour le rivetage par expansion des rivets creux
B23D 39/00 - Accessoires des machines à brocher ou des dispositifs de brochage
B23Q 17/09 - Agencements sur les machines-outils pour indiquer ou mesurer pour indiquer ou mesurer la pression de coupe ou l'état de l'outil de coupe, p. ex. aptitude à la coupe, charge sur l'outil
A self-piercing rivet for forming joints in high strength steel has a partially hollow shank of a particular form in order to ensure that it has sufficient column strength to pierce the material. The thickness of the shank is such that adequate joint strength is achieved with a lower degree of flare than would be necessary for conventional riveted joints. The ratio of the thickness of the shank (outside diameter minus inside diameter) is in the range 0.47 to 0.52. The ratio of the cross sectional area of the shank in the region around the bore to the outside diameter of the shank is in the range 3.0:1 to 3.6:1
Fastener delivery apparatus comprises first and second elongate fastener delivery tubes (22, 23, 24) in which fasteners are conveyed by compressed air. An interface housing (20) comprising receives the respective ends of the delivery tubes in axially aligned apertures (25a, 28). The first and second delivery tubes are supported in the apertures with their ends spaced apart such that there is a predetermined clearance (42) between the end peripheral wall of the first delivery tube and the end of the peripheral wall of the second delivery tube. The interface may be a shuttle for moving an incoming delivery tube (24) selectively into alignment with one of several outlet tubes (22, 23). Alternatively it may be a docking station where two parts of the housing are brought into and out of register.
Fasteners, such as rivets (60), are fed to a fastener insertion tool (1) via a buffer magazine (5) adjacent to the tool. The buffer is movable with the tool and C-frame (6) between an operative position where fasteners can be inserted into a workpiece and a re-filling position where it is docked at a docking station (13) to reload. Fasteners are delivered to the docking station from a source (14) and held there ready for when the tool docks. Once docked a transfer gate (25, 28) is opened at an interface between the buffer magazine and the docking station and fasteners from the docking station are transferred into the buffer magazine. The quantity of fasteners in the buffer magazine is detected and the last fastener is retained so as to support preceding fasteners loaded into the buffer magazine. Any subsequently loaded fasteners back to the docking station either under gravity, under the influence of a pressurised gas or both. The gate is then closed and the insertion apparatus separates from the docking station.
B21J 15/32 - Dispositifs pour placer ou maintenir en position les rivets, avec ou sans systèmes d'alimentation
B23P 19/00 - Machines effectuant simplement l'assemblage ou la séparation de pièces ou d'objets métalliques entre eux ou des pièces métalliques avec des pièces non métalliques, que cela entraîne ou non une certaine déformationOutils ou dispositifs à cet effet dans la mesure où ils ne sont pas prévus dans d'autres classes
brevets